Everyone serves a master. Either we are slaves to sin, leading to death—or slaves to righteousness, leading to life. In Christ, we are set free from sin, but not to be our own—we now belong to Him who bought us with His blood.
We don’t obey to earn salvation—we obey because we’ve been saved. Grace comes first. Obedience is the fruit, not the root. The gospel declares that salvation is by grace through faith, and our good works flow from a heart that’s been changed by God.
The law’s true aim is not mere rule-following, but love—love for God and love for neighbor. In Christ, we are set free from the letter of the law and empowered to walk in its spirit. Love is the fulfillment of all God commands.
The works of the flesh are evident—and deadly. They are the fruit of a life apart from the Spirit of God. We must examine ourselves, not excusing or entertaining sin, but putting it to death through the power of the Spirit.
We are not left to judge by our own opinions or emotions—we are to judge rightly, according to God’s Word. The Bible is our standard. It teaches us what is good and evil, and equips us to discern truth in a world of confusion.
To the world, the message of the cross is foolishness. But to those who are being saved, it is the power of God. This is how the gospel divides—it humbles the wise and exalts the humble. What seems foolish to man is the very wisdom of God.